MY SAD EYES

As a child's dream,Get high as the birds arrive,Fly stretching my wings in my own sky,The sky of my world of aspirations and longings,I have grown and today the world pulls my feathers,Creates boundaries and limits without letting me fly,How can I get my longed for freedom?

I know who I am,I know what I'm worth,I know how important, humble, supportive, loving and struggling I am,But in this world governed by tyranny and evil,Who takes into account my dreams and ambition?

Maybe some have power,But I have love and know,I am surrounded by people who help me grow,Next to them I will fight,I will educate myselfAnd ahead I will go out.

Maybe my eyes will cry,Maybe a thousand battles,But satisfied with what I have achieved.

My suffering has made me strong,Has taught me that after defeat I will always get up,They may tell me that I am not strong to withstand the storm,But one day I will come back and tell you that I am the storm,Can shoot me with their words,Cut me with his eyes,Kill me with hatredBut still as the air will rise.

Today my sad eyes have a new view,A new world to explore,World from which I will make my landscape,Where my wings heal and fly again,To the highest without limit,Until I see my dreams culminate.

A week after the elections, undocumented youth, formerly undocumented folks and mixed status families met together to talk about the election results and to express how this election would directly affect them and their loved ones.

Although we still face uncertainty, we also want to acknowledge that we are still powerful together as a community and to remember why we continue to fight, support, and love each other. As a closing to the event, we asked the question: What Uplifts You?

We invite you to submit your stories, poems or other mediums of expression that will be shared on our website and social media answering, “What Uplifts You?” Submissions can be published anonymously if you wish to.

For submissions, please send an email to info@nysylc.org with the Subject Line: What Uplifts You?

You can include your name, age, city and state where you’re from. *optional

Click Below to hear a Poem by a NYSYLC Member M.S.

We are more than just a label

Instead remember we are a brave and persistent group of people

Let us not be defined by our circumstances but let's stand up stand out and be counted

Always remember the race is not for swift but instead for those who can endure